MEET OUR K-9 TEAM members - 🐾denotes certification

Bryce is a dedicated handler with a strong focus on developing his K9s' skills for various search and rescue operations. He is currently working with Sequoia, who is transitioning from trailing to Human Remains Detection (HRD) training. This shift allows Sequoia to expand her abilities, preparing her to locate human remains in diverse environments, and makes her a versatile asset for search and recovery missions. Bryce and Sequoia are committed to honing their skills to support law enforcement and provide closure to families. In addition, Bryce works with Shiloh, who was previously certified in live find area search and is now awaiting recertification. Together, they have proven their ability to search large areas effectively, focusing on locating missing persons. Once recertified, Bryce and Shiloh will continue to be a reliable and skilled team, ready to assist in search and rescue operations.

Cat is a flanker who provides support to the team during search operations. This year, she plans to train her dog, Indigo, for live find, focusing on locating missing individuals in expansive areas. As a flanker, Cat's role is crucial in assisting the primary search teams by ensuring no area is overlooked. With her training Indigo for live find, Cat will further enhance the team's capabilities, making them an even stronger asset in search and rescue missions.

Catherine is a dedicated support member of SARTEC K-9, playing a vital role both behind the scenes and in the field. She actively participates in administrative tasks, ensuring the smooth operation of the unit, while also providing hands-on support during search and rescue missions. Catherine's versatility and commitment are invaluable to the team, as she helps coordinate resources, manage logistics, and assist in field operations, ensuring SARTEC K-9 can respond quickly and effectively when needed.

Chris is a highly skilled handler with extensive experience in search and rescue operations. He works with multiple K9s, Scout and Viper, each specializing in different aspects of search and detection. With Scout, who is certified, Chris focuses on Human Remains Detection (HRD), training him to locate human remains in various environments, enhancing his ability to assist in recovery operations. Chris also trains Viper for scent-specific area search, refining her ability to detect missing persons by identifying specific scents within a designated area. Chris’s expertise and dedication ensure that he and his dogs are well-prepared to provide critical assistance in any search operation, supporting law enforcement and helping bring closure to families.

Danielle is a dedicated handler currently training Moxie to become a trailing K9. In their specialized training, Moxie is learning to track the exact path a missing person has taken by following their scent trail, a crucial skill for locating individuals who have been missing for extended periods. Danielle and Moxie are focused on refining their teamwork to ensure they are prepared for real-world search and rescue missions. Their commitment to precision and efficiency makes them an invaluable team, ready to assist in locating missing persons and providing vital support in critical situations.

Doreen is a skilled handler specializing in Human Remains Detection (HRD) with her K9s, Jinx and Scout. She works closely with Jinx, training her to detect human remains in various environments, ensuring they are ready to assist in search and recovery missions. She also works with Scout, who is HRD certified, further strengthening the ability to support critical operations. Doreen’s commitment to mastering HRD techniques helps her provide law enforcement with the resources needed to locate human remains and bring closure to families. Doreen’s expertise and dedication make her a valuable asset in any search and rescue mission, ensuring that she and her dogs are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Erin is currently training her dog, Cooper, for live find. Together, they are working to develop Cooper’s skills in locating missing individuals in large search areas, with a focus on finding live persons. Erin’s commitment to training Cooper highlights her dedication to becoming an essential part of the SARTEC team, ensuring they can assist in critical search and rescue missions when needed.

Frank is an experienced handler who works with Sierra, a highly skilled K9 certified in live find area search. Sierra's previous certification in trailing, combined with her current live find certification, has made her an exceptional team member capable of handling various search scenarios. Whether tracking a missing person through scent in the air or following a specific trail, Sierra's versatility enhances the SARTEC K-9 team's ability to respond effectively to different search and rescue missions. Frank and Sierra’s expertise allows them to provide critical support in locating individuals and ensuring successful outcomes during complex and challenging operations.

Heather is a dedicated handler currently training Finch for live find area search. In this specialized training, Finch is learning to search expansive areas and locate missing individuals with a focus on finding live persons. This crucial training prepares Finch to respond quickly and effectively in search and rescue missions where time is critical. Heather and Finch are committed to refining their skills, ensuring they are ready to assist in locating individuals and providing vital support in any search operation. Their dedication to excellence makes them a reliable and skilled team, focused on bringing individuals home safely.

Jessie is a skilled handler working with multiple dogs in search and rescue operations. She is currently training Naika to become a trailing K9, helping her refine the ability to track a missing person's specific path by following their scent, even on trails that are hours or days old. This specialized skill is crucial for locating individuals, and Jessie and Naika are committed to ensuring they are well-prepared to provide effective support in search missions. Additionally, Jessie works with Riley, who is certified in live find area search. Together, they are trained to cover large areas and locate missing individuals, focusing on finding live persons. This certification ensures they are ready to assist in critical search and rescue operations, offering vital support to those in need and helping bring people home safely.

Karen is actively training her dog, Eliza, for Human Remains Detection (HRD). As a dedicated member of the SAR community, Karen plays an important role in search and rescue efforts, working to enhance Eliza's skills in locating human remains in a variety of environments as well as performing various administrative tasks. Her commitment to training and her involvement in the SAR community demonstrate her passion for serving others and contributing to critical search and recovery missions when needed.
 

Lilo was certified in area search with her handler, Lindsay, and they are planning to recertify this spring. Their commitment to maintaining certification ensures that they continue to provide effective support in locating missing individuals during search and rescue operations. The upcoming recertification demonstrates their dedication to staying prepared and maintaining the high standards required to assist in critical search missions. Lilo and Lindsay’s teamwork remains a valuable asset to SARTEC K-9.

Rick is an experienced handler working with multiple dogs across various search and rescue disciplines. He currently trains Bellum in trailing, refining her ability to track the scent of a missing person, even on trails that are hours or days old. This training is vital for real-world missions, where Bellum’s scent detection skills will help locate individuals over long distances. Rick also works with Brida, who is transitioning from live find area search to Human Remains Detection (HRD). With Rick's guidance, Brida is developing the skills needed to locate human remains in various environments, further enhancing her capabilities for search and recovery operations. Additionally, Rick is certified with Nika in live find area search, where she specializes in locating missing individuals across large areas, focusing on finding live persons. Together, Rick and his dogs are committed to providing effective and timely assistance in search and rescue operations.

Tiffany is a dedicated handler currently training Mina to become a live find area search dog. In their training, Mina is learning to search large areas and locate missing persons, with a particular focus on finding live individuals. This essential training ensures that Tiffany and Mina are well-prepared to respond quickly and effectively to search and rescue missions, offering critical support in locating those who are lost or in distress. Together, Tiffany and Mina are committed to mastering the necessary skills to make a meaningful impact in the field, providing valuable assistance when time is of the essence.

Vicki is a dedicated handler working with Jetta in specialized Human Remains Detection (HRD) training. Together, they are honing Jetta's ability to locate human remains in a variety of environments, a crucial skill for complex search and recovery missions. Their training is essential for preparing them to assist law enforcement in identifying and recovering human remains, offering critical support during sensitive operations. Vicki and Jetta are deeply committed to developing the expertise necessary to serve in these important missions, helping bring closure to families and ensuring their skills are utilized effectively in the field.